Hardware: The physical components of your computer. (E.G. Keyboard, monitor, printer)
Microprocessor: Another name for the CPU. This is a silicon chip, which is the brain of the computer. It coordinates all devices and performs most logical and arithmetic functions
RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporary memory that requires power be turned on. Allows more than one program to run at the same time.
ROM (Read Only Memory): Used for permanent storage of boot programs, date, and time. This data is retained when the power is turned off.
Motherboard: Connects all hardware together and helps to coordinate devices Storage: Devices that store data on your computer. (E.G. Hard drive, floppy drive, CD-RW.
Input devices: Devices that input data into your computer. (E.G. Keyboard, mouse, scanner)
Output devices: Devices that output data into forms, which people can use. (Printer, speakers, monitor)
Kilobyte (Kb): Term used for computer storage. Consists of 1024 characters or bytes.
Megabyte (Mb): Term used for computer storage. Consists of 1,048,576 characters or bytes.
Gigabyte (Gb): Term used for computer storage. Consists of 1,000,000,000 characters or bytes.
Format: The process of dividing a disk into sectors and tracks so it’s organized for storage. An unformatted disk cannot store data. Many disks now come preformatted.
Peripheral: Any of a number of hardware devices that extend or enhance the performance of the computer and are not part of the CPU, though some are mounted inside the case of the computer
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface): SCSI is a standard method of connecting devices to computers. For example, SCSI is used for connecting a peripheral device, such as an external hard drive or a tape backup system to a computer's
port.
USB: Short for Universal Serial Bus, an external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of 12 Mbps (12 million bits per second). A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards.
Zip drive: Removable storage device employing a small disk similar in design to a floppy disk, but offering significantly more storage space (approximately 100-250 MB) and speed.
Parallel Port:Commonly used for printers and scanners
Chipset: Custom-designed chips are the backbone of any 3D accelerator. Some companies, like S3 and nVidia, just design the chipsets and license them to video card manufacturers. The card manufacturers themselves create some designs.
AGP: Intel's Accelerated Graphics Port, a slot and hardware architecture designed for video cards.
HARDWARE TERMS
Hardware: The physical components of your computer. (E.G. Keyboard, monitor, printer)Microprocessor: Another name for the CPU. This is a silicon chip, which is the brain of the computer. It coordinates all devices and performs most logical and arithmetic functions
RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporary memory that requires power be turned on. Allows more than one program to run at the same time.
ROM (Read Only Memory): Used for permanent storage of boot programs, date, and time. This data is retained when the power is turned off.
Motherboard: Connects all hardware together and helps to coordinate devices
Storage: Devices that store data on your computer. (E.G. Hard drive, floppy drive, CD-RW.
Input devices: Devices that input data into your computer. (E.G. Keyboard, mouse, scanner)
Output devices: Devices that output data into forms, which people can use. (Printer, speakers, monitor)
Kilobyte (Kb): Term used for computer storage. Consists of 1024 characters or bytes.
Megabyte (Mb): Term used for computer storage. Consists of 1,048,576 characters or bytes.
Gigabyte (Gb): Term used for computer storage. Consists of 1,000,000,000 characters or bytes.
Format: The process of dividing a disk into sectors and tracks so it’s organized for storage. An unformatted disk cannot store data. Many disks now come preformatted.
Peripheral: Any of a number of hardware devices that extend or enhance the performance of the computer and are not part of the CPU, though some are mounted inside the case of the computer
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface): SCSI is a standard method of connecting devices to computers. For example, SCSI is used for connecting a peripheral device, such as an external hard drive or a tape backup system to a computer's
port.
USB: Short for Universal Serial Bus, an external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of 12 Mbps (12 million bits per second). A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards.
Zip drive: Removable storage device employing a small disk similar in design to a floppy disk, but offering significantly more storage space (approximately 100-250 MB) and speed.
Parallel Port:Commonly used for printers and scanners
Chipset: Custom-designed chips are the backbone of any 3D accelerator. Some companies, like S3 and nVidia, just design the chipsets and license them to video card manufacturers. The card manufacturers themselves create some designs.
AGP: Intel's Accelerated Graphics Port, a slot and hardware architecture designed for video cards.
Courtesy of Library.Thinkquest.org